Folding rifle rest



21, 1942. M. A. D OER ING I 2,290,545

- FOLDING RIFLE REST Filed June 19, 1941 Melvin d1 Evert 11g QQW Patented July 21, 1942 pariah stares parent orrloa FOLDING RIFLE REST Melvin A. Doering, Jefferson, Wis.

Application June 19, 1941, Serial No. 398,849

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel construction of rifle rest adapted for use at rifle matches and elsewhere to provide a support for a rifle while not in use, and which may be used either indoors or outdoors, and which will not tip over.

Still another aim of the invention is to provide a rifle rest which may be used for holding a rifle or other type weapon, fired from the shoulder, while cleaning or for display.

More particularly, it is an aim of the invention to provide a rifle rest which, when not in use, can be folded into a compact form, and which can be readily extended and will not tip over while in an extended position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View showing the rifle rest extended,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same,

Figure 3 is a side elevational View showing the rifle rest folded,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of one end of the rifle rest, and

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the upper, cradle end of one of the standards.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the different views, Ill designates generally the folding rifle rest in its entirety, and which includes an elongated bar It having enlarged slotted ends, designated generally l2. The enlarged slotted ends l2 are each provided with a slot l3, which form the furcations, each designated generally I4. The furcations [4 each include an elongated upper portion l5 which is disposed above the upper surface of the bar H, and a portion it which projects from an end of the bar II. The portions l6 also depend below the underside of the bar I I. The pair of furcations M of each end l2 are arranged in spaced substantially parallel relationship to one another, as illustrated in Figure 2. A pin l1 extends through the furcation portions l5 of each end l2 and a similar pin [3 extends through the furcation portions E6 of each of the ends [2.

A standard or post I9 is connected to each end l2 of the bar H. The standards I!) each include an enlarged end 211 which is substantially rectangular in cross section and which is provided with an elongated longitudinally disposed opening 2|, The ends 26 are disposed in the slots 13 of the ends l2 and the openings 2| thereof loosely engage the pins ll, as best illustrated in Figure 4. The extremities of the ends 20 are each provided with a groove or notch 22, which grooves or notches are adapted to engage the pins l8, when the standards are in upright positions. The depth of the grooves 22 is'substantially equal to the diameter of the pins l8, as best seen in Figure 4. One of the standards I9 is provided with a U-shaped portion or cradle 23 at its opposite end, and the other standard I9 is provided at its opposite, free end with a similarly shaped cradle 2%, which is larger in size than the cradle 23, for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent. The cradles 23 and 24 are encased in rubber tubing 25.

The bar II is provided with a recess 26 in its underside which increases in thickness toward the center of the bar, and in which is disposed a cross arm 2i. The cross arm 21 is pivotally connected intermediate of its ends to the intermediate portion of the bar II by a pin or stud 28 so that the cross arm 21 can be swung to a position at right angles to the bar II to combine therewith to form a cross shaped base, designated generally 29.

When the rifle rest Ill is in its folded position,

. as seen in Figure 3, the standards l9 rest on the bar H and the cross arm 21 is disposed beneath the bar I I and in its recess 26. When the standards it are thus disposed, as seen in Figure 3, their ends 29 are disposed between the furcation portions l5. The rifle rest I!) can be readily stored or transported while in its folded position. To extend the rifle rest H], the standards It are swung upwardly and outwardly of one another on the pivots l7 and are raised upwardly through the connection of the pins I1 and the elongated openings 2i so that the grooves 22 can be positioned above the pins 18 after which the standards IQ are allowed to slide downwardly to cause the grooves 22 to engage the pins l8 by which connections the standards I 9 will be maintained in upright positions. The cross arm 21 is then swung from a position beneath the bar i I to a position crosswise thereof, as seen in Figure 2, in which latter position it will effectively function to prevent the rifle rest ID from being inadvertently overturned. A rifle, not shown, is adapted to be supported by the cradles 23 and 24. The smaller cradle 23 is adapted to engage the stock of the rifle, on either end of the trigger guard, and the larger cradle 24 is adapted to engage the fore end of the stock, and said cradles are encased in rubber tubing 25 to prevent marring the rifle. Obviously, the size and shape of the cradles 23 and 24 may be varied to adapt the rifle rest H] for use with various types of rifles and other firearms which are fired from the shoulder. To return the rifle rest 10 to a folded position the standards I 9 are raised upwardly and then swung inwardly and downwardly after which the cross arm 2'! is swung, through an arc of 90 degrees to position it in the recess 26, to complete the closing or folding of the rifle rest iii.

Various modifications and changes are contemplated and may obviously be resorted to as only a preferred embodiment of the invention 7 has been disclosed.

gaging the slots in said standards for pivotally connecting said standards to the ends of the base, said standards having upwardly extending forked shaped free ends, disposed crosswise of the base, for supporting a rifle, the opposite ends of said standards being provided with outwardly opening notches, and projections in the bifurcated ends of said base for engaging said notches, when the standards are in upright positions, for holding the standards in upright positions, said standards being foldable onto the base and with their upper portions disposed at substantially the same level as the upper portions of the bifurcated ends.

2. A rifle rest as in claim 1, said base member being recessed in its underside, a cross arm disposed in said recess and pivotally connected intermediate of its ends to the base member, the underside of the cross arm being substantially flat and disposed in substantially the same plane as the bottom edges of the bifurcated ends, said cross arm being movable to a position crosswise of the base member for maintaining the rifle rest in an upright position.

MELVIN A. DOERING. 

